and twitters making up their repertoires. 

 As their voices greet him when awaken- 

 ing, no calendar is needed to trace the 

 advancing seasons. The new voices added 

 to the morning chorus and its diminish- 

 ing volume as summer departs gives aud- 

 ible record to the ear familiar with bird- 

 voice harmony. Again, when abroad in 

 pursuit of duty or pleasure, a single note 

 is sufficient to introduce to his ear a new 

 or old-time friend. He well knows the 

 first glimpse will disclose a dull or bright- 

 hued coat, whose owner's eyes are even 

 then scanning him from some well con- 

 cealed cover. If the learner would fully 

 appreciate the charms of his bird acquain- 

 tances he should study each individual 

 until known not only by appearance 



while at rest, but in every light, shade, 

 attitude and movement, and he should 

 study his voice until it is recognizable 

 whether in full-throated song or modu- 

 lated call or whistle. An occasional hour 

 or vacation may accomplish much, and 

 that often at our very doors ; but to know 

 these breezy, beautiful habitants aright 

 city walls must be left behind. 



Museum specimens, except for refer- 

 ence, must be shunned as inert, lifeless 

 and voiceless. The bird only known by 

 appearance is but half known. When 

 known and understood their observers be- 

 come their champions whose arms and 

 voices will ever be raised to prevent their 

 wanton destruction. 



B. F. W. Thorpe. 



THE SPIRIT OF SPRING. 



It came to me this morning, in my 

 room, and filled my whole being with a 

 subtle feeing of delight and mysterious 

 glad expectancy. When I went down- 

 stairs they told me that it was colder 

 than yesterday; that the thermometer 

 registered 14 degrees above zero. But 

 what care I for the thermometer ? What 

 does it know about spring? 



Spring is a spirit which takes posses- 

 sion of the air, be it hot or cold, and 

 makes one's heart sing for joy. 



The crows kept telling me the glad 

 news, ''Spring has come!" all the time 

 I was dressing, and it was echoed in the 

 tufted tit's questioning note when he 

 flew round the house to his breakfast 

 on the window sill. When I started out 

 for my morning walk the very air seemed 

 filled with tiny voices proclaiming the 

 good tidings. 



I had not gone far before I heard a 

 cardinal singing gloriously, his song 

 answering the one in my own heart; and 

 the theme was ever, ''Spring has come !" 



But the crowning surprise and joy of 

 all came when I had reached the brook 

 pasture. I stopped, listened and caught 

 my breath ; could it be on the 27th of 

 February ? Yes, a song sparrow ! No 

 one who is unacquainted with the purity 



and simple charm of 'this bird's song, 

 which breathes of all that is fair and 

 good, can understand or appreciate the 

 rapture I felt upon hearing it again 

 this morning. Going on a little farther 

 I heard another song sparrow; the two 

 were singing by turns, answering each 

 other in sweetest melody. One could 

 scarcely wait until the other had finished 

 his strain, so eager were they to pour 

 out the good news. 



Oh, if you who are tired or dull indoors 

 will only go out these mornings and fill 

 your lungs with the pure air of heaven 

 and your hearts with the rapture of 

 spring, how many of your cares will 

 drop away ! Nature's myriad voices will 

 talk to you if you will Hsten; the birds 

 will sing to you the sweetest music in the 

 world — God's love in melody. 



This joy in the beauties of Nature may 

 be yours if you will ; do not allow such 

 a precious gift to escape you. It is be- 

 yond price, yet free to all. Each year 

 adds to the wonder and value of Na- 

 ture's treasures ; they are ever new, ever 

 more and more welcome with each re- 

 turning season. Happy are they who 

 know and love them well. 



Anne Wakely Jackson. 



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